LaJolla has been a recent steady source of transfers. However, this year it gave Broadway and Off Broadway Escape to Margaritaville, Summer- the Donna Summer musical and Miss You Like Hell, all of which have had bad reviews. Thoughts?
They made a killing by premiering "Jersey Boys" and keep hoping that lightning will strike twice. Similarly, San Diego's other premiere theater, the Old Globe," has announced its own jukebox musical featuring the forgotten-but-not-gone group Huey Newton and the News.
They aren't slipping. Non-profits like the La Jolla Playhouse that pay for developmental productions are a win win for Broadway. There have been plenty of musicals they produced that didn't go on to Broadway. Their charter is to develop new theater, so this fits perfectly. If none of their original shows went to Broadway, it would still be a win for them because they develop talent.
The issue about these two musicals is that the producers really didn't develop them after their pre-broadway runs. Escape from Margaritaville had time to do it, but it appears this is exactly the same show that was at La Jolla (please correct me if I'm wrong). Summer didn't have any real time between the out of town tryout and Broadway. Also, director was also one of the writers who probably thought it was fine as is. No one had the balls to tell him otherwise (ala like George Lucas and the Star Wars prequels).
It’s not like La Jolla Playhouse hasn’t had their fair share of flops over the years. For every Tommy, Millie and Jersey Boys there was also a Dracula, Bonnie & Clyde and Doctor Zhivago. All three of which I enjoyed and was heartbroken when they flopped but you get the picture.
joined:4/30/05
joined:
4/30/05
Posted: 4/27/18 at 2:02pm